Rich Township Schools Plan New Auditorium

August 25, 1999|By Janice Neuman.

OLYMPIA FIELDS — Rich Township High School District 227 board members this week began reviewing preliminary plans for the district's first multipurpose auditorium at Rich South High School in Richton Park.

The auditorium, which could be completed by summer 2001, will be used for theatre, dance and choral and instrumental performances. Rich East High School in Park Forest and Rich Central High School in Olympia Fields each have auditoriums, but they are smaller, with fewer capabilities than the one planned.

The new auditorium could have a round stage with movable seats, though the design has not yet been determined. The project will be financed with $5 million in bonds.

The board is considering using the architectural services of ARCON Associates Inc. of Lombard, but because its projected cost for completing the project is about $30,000 more than other architects surveyed, officials have decided to consider other firms.

Assistant Supt. Harold Huang, who is handling finances for the project, said architect Rick Cozzi of ARCON was his choice because of the quality of his work and his proven track record with the district.

But board members Judith Lohr, Scott Umbreit and Julian Freund suggested a search process to select an architect.

A committee made up of representatives from each district school will meet Friday to begin reviewing the auditorium's design. Huang said a representative committee from the district was needed so that decisions about the auditorium would not appear unilateral

"I want everyone using the facility to provide input," said Huang. "The philosophy of the district is you don't make decisions on people's lives without input."

The district is expected to begin accepting bids for the project in January, with construction possibly beginning in March.